Ballot issues dominate
council, school board seats also ride on Nov. 3 vote
Here we go again.
Voting is under way in this off-year general election, in which control of city councils and school boards is being decided.
But it’s the ballot issues that seem to be getting the most attention. Voters in Washington will decide whether to impose tight new limits on government spending and if the broad new rights for same-sex couples approved by state lawmakers earlier this year should stay or be repealed.
Spokane voters will decide whether a controversial Community Bill of Rights should be added to the City Charter or sent to the political landfill. Across the state line, Kootenai County voters will decide whether to increase their own taxes to pay for a new jail. Several other measures are appearing on ballots in smaller towns and cities as well.
On these pages you’ll find The Spokesman-Review’s guide to the Inland Northwest’s major races in the Nov. 3 election. We’ve also listed other contested races in smaller towns and cities across Spokane County. At stake is control of several city councils, including Spokane, Spokane Valley, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. All are nonpartisan races, meaning that while political parties might make endorsements in some races, the candidates declare no affiliation in their campaigns. The only exception is a Palouse race to fill the remainder of an unexpired legislative term in the Washington state House of Representatives, where two Republicans emerged from a crowded primary to challenge each other.
Ballots most be postmarked by Nov. 3 to be counted in Washington. Ballots also can be taken directly to the Spokane County Elections Division, 1033 W. Gardner Ave. in Spokane, or left at dropoff boxes at all Spokane-area libraries. If you need assistance casting your ballot independently, six voter service stations will be open Election Day in various parts of Spokane County.
In Idaho, polls will be open until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Watch spokesman.com for breaking news and results on Election Day, and get complete coverage in the next morning’s Spokesman-Review.